Gyroscope stabilization for boat, is it essential…
We’re talking here about a Seakeeper or a Quick (brand names).
It depends on your comfort criteria and your sensitivity to nausea (seasickness).
A gyroscope is over 90% effective when the boat is at anchor. In effect, a boat passes close to yours and you see one or more big waves coming, and you’re at anchor. Well, the wine glasses on the table will stay in place, and yes, it’s really very effective.
If you’re sailing at a slow speed, say less than 10 kn, the efficiency still remains, but the faster you accelerate, from 15 to 20 kn and more, then the efficiency will decrease very rapidly.
Gyroscopic stabilization acts on the boat’s left-to-right movements. We’re talking here about a direct effect against roll (in French roulis).
Gyros have little or no effect on pitching.
Other systems such as FINS or, to a lesser extent, WIPWAKE or HUMPHREE stabilizers, which replace the old trim tab technology (e.g. Benett), have an effect on pitch and roll.
But the boat has to be going at a certain speed to see an effect, say of at least 10 kn and even more towards 20 kn and more.
Is it necessary to have a gyroscope on a body of water like a river or lake?
It all depends on your comfort criteria. But let’s just say that for a good resale value of the boat, especially for the American territory, the presence of a gyroscope is a big plus.
For example, Azimut boats over 50 feet have had one since almost 2010.
The option costs around $60,000 USD for a 60′ boat. But today, most 35- or 40-foot center-consoles have one too, especially for those who troll at sea.
The Seakeeper and Quick brands have even developed units that run on 12 or 24 volts, so there’s no need for a generator.
The main difference between these two major industry players is as follows:
SEAKEEPER: water-cooled and physically wider than it is tall
QUICK: not water-cooled and physically taller than it is wide.
Here are a few images:
For the SEAKEEPER brand:
For the Italian QUICK brand:
How it works and other systems:
Here are a few links to explain how various boat stabilizers, such as gyroscopes and other systems, work.
The first link, a general article published in 2023 on the subject of stabilization, click here.
A link to an article by Ita Yachts Canada published in 2014, click here. It gives an overview of the different systems available.
Another article published in 2021 on gyro stabilization, click here.
The Seakeeper for center-console without generator, click here.
The Seakeeper RIDE, a new system for smaller boats, click here.
Here are some European manufacturers offering gyro stabilization:
– Azimut yachts
– Sunseeker Yachts
– Princess Yachts
– Ferretti Yachts
– Pershing Yachts
– Riva Yachts
– Absolute Yachts
– Prestige Yachts
– Galeon Yachts
– Beneteau
– Astondoa
And here are some American manufacturers:
– Cruisers Yachts
– Tiara Yachts
– Viking
– Sea Ray
– Regal
– Boston Whaler
– Formula
– Intrepid
– Everglades
– Scout
– Midnight Express
And many others, manufacturers no longer hesitate to offer it as an option.
If you have any questions about the importance of having such a system on board, contact a broker from Ita Yachts Canada and its ProprioBateau division. Our office is in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and we have three brokers at your disposal, Eric Gaudette, Michelle Mant and Guy Bolduc.
DISCLAIMER
The article presented on this page is for information purposes only. This information is provided as editorial (i.e. opinion). The information presented in this article is presented in good faith and, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed. Ita Yachts Canada does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of the information and/or images displayed, as they do not suggest anything in relation to this article, indeed no association can be made with respect to the images and the article. All information in this article is subject to change without notice and is without warranty. It is the reader’s responsibility to verify the descriptions and statements contained in this article. The brokers at Ita Yachts Canada assume no responsibility for any conclusions the reader may draw. The purpose of this article is to promote boating in all its forms. It gives one point of view among many. Any reproduction of this article is prohibited.
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